STRONG POSITIONS AND TANKS AT TZ 5912 — Operations

Operational Record

Target: Strong positions and tanks at TZ 5912.
Duty: Strong positions and tanks at TZ 5912
Committed: 18 Glenn Martin Baltimore
Time of attack: 0953 hrs.
Airborne: 0623 hrs
Returned: 0852 hrs
From: Zuara
Map: TUNISIA 1:200,000 Sheet 23 GABES
Day / night: Day
Casualties: Lt. Forsmann (Observer A/C 179 A) scratched by Ack/Ack splinter on hand. Minor injury.
Bombing: Medium level bombing. Height 8300 ft. 106 x 250 lb. GP 43 Det. (Rods) Two hang-ups brought back.
Air defences: H.A.A. barrage very intense and accurate, at first, but below formation later. 4 guns at TZ 5814. 2 guns at TZ 5413. 4 guns at point NE MARETH village. Some guns firing from TZ 5410.
Results: 5 to 10 MT and tines in wadi OUN EL ABIAR near the coast. At TZ 5616 long white building.

Formation bombed on the leader in a slight climb, on a course of 240 deg. Area bombed was between the Wadi and a point SOUTH of the village. Bombs fell in a well dispersed pattern starting at TZ 6012 to TZ 5910. Bombs were seen to burst among approx. 15 well dispersed MT and guns that were firing and near misses are claimed on other gun pits. There were a number of bursts near a badly dispersed convoy of 7 vehicles (One trailer) on a track on the edge of the wadi. One bomb exploded between 3 vehicles, less than 40 yards apart. One fire started in wadi at TZ 5812.